Al Franken’s improving odds
How a recount has narrowed the gap in Minnesota's tight Senate race
Norm Coleman's observer watches the recount.
(AP Photo/Mankato Free Press, John Cross)
What happened
The gap between Democrat Al Franken and Republican Sen. Norm Coleman narrowed to 126 votes on Thursday, after Minnesota officials counted about 46 percent of the 2.9 million ballots cast in the state's undecided Senate race. (Minneapolis-St. Paul Star-Tribune)
What the commentators said
We're clearly "heading for a photo finish," said John Hinderaker in Power Line. But it's hard to interpret the figures so far. It would make sense that Franken gained ground if, as expected, the first precincts recounted were in Democrat-friendly cities, but it's unclear if that was the case.
Even after the recount is complete, said Markos Moulitsas Zuniga in DailyKos, there will be the challenged ballots to contend with, and Coleman is being more aggressive in challenging ballots, which might give him the advantage. But for now, "all that is important is that the deficit is narrowing, and that if this rate holds (no guarantee, of course) then Franken will narrowly win the race."
One reason for all the confusion, said David Knowles in AOL News, is that we're dealing with a "razor-thin contest" in which people cast votes using different equipment in counties across the state. Oh, and the Democrats' hopes for a filibuster-proof Senate majority hang in the balance. "Why can't this country finally standardize the process of how we vote, especially when it comes to races that have national implications?"
Show: Oldest | Newest
10 Comments
Posted by randal august, Friday, November 21, 2008, 11:30 am I hope Al wins, the republicans are slime balls only interested in helping the rich & reducing the middle class to the poor class. We need to do away with voting machines, banks can handle ATMs all over the world, why can't we use a banking type of system to count votes, the banks don't screw-up I never get more money than I request at an ATM.
Posted by California Liberal, Friday, November 21, 2008, 11:48 am It will really make my day should Al win! Isn't it time we get all these war criminals out of government?
Posted by Dennis, Friday, November 21, 2008, 12:21 pm This problem is so simple to fix. Paper ballots for everyone with chain of custody from voter to final tabulation and storage for audit purposes. Can't beat that system without overt fraud.
Posted by Speech Therapist, Friday, November 21, 2008, 3:28 pm Wow Andrea. You need to do something about that stammer.
Posted by Jane, Friday, November 21, 2008, 5:30 pm Paper ballots are actually one of the problems in this election. You can view photos of challenged ballots online and they are all improperly marked paper ballots. People aren't smart enough to properly mark paper ballots and/or request a new ballot if they spoil their ballot or make a mistake. There are ballots with 2 votes cast but one crossed out...or with signatures on the ballots...or with items circled instead of ovals marked in. The paper ballots are too confusing for people, apparently. At least with the electronic ballot machines, it tells you at the end who you have voted for and lets you go back to correct your ballot if you detect an error and a voter can't invalidate it by signing it or spoiling it with stray marks.
Posted by Jesica, Friday, November 21, 2008, 7:02 pm I hope Franken goes back to telling bad jokes. I am surprised that Coleman is winning so far, I have been to MN and the majority seem to have taken the blue pill, but I hope that the seat goes to Coleman because Big Gov't needs as much opposition as possible, or we can all look forward to a Socialist/tottering on the verge of Communist country
Posted by Kam, Saturday, November 22, 2008, 12:03 am Now I understand why the recent poll showed that 98% of BO supporters were politically ignorant. They didn't know who Nancy Pelosei and Reid were, and didn't even know that the dems were the majority in the congress for the last two years. But that's how dems like their constituents, uneducated and ignorant, the only way they can steal an election and tell the voters the repubs did it. Randal, there will be four years of fun and games starting with a 700 billion dollar bail out for the banks who screwed-up by listening to the dems like Chris Dodd and Barney Frank. (Hint for dems: they are dem members of congress)
Posted by Rebecca, Saturday, November 22, 2008, 3:54 pm I met Al Franken on 11/20 and he is honest and unpretentious. He will be a breath of fresh air in the Senate. He is not going to let Norm Coleman win without a fight. People want this to be over but have patience "now!".
Post a Comment